Multiple lines of evidence for a hypervelocity impact origin for the Silverpit Crater

Uisdean Nicholson (), Iain de Jonge-Anderson, Alex Gillespie, Thomas Kenkmann, Tom Dunkley Jones, Gareth S. Collins, James Frankel, Veronica Bray, Sean P. S. Gulick and Ronnie Parr
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Uisdean Nicholson: Heriot-Watt University
Iain de Jonge-Anderson: Heriot-Watt University
Alex Gillespie: bp
Thomas Kenkmann: Universität Freiburg
Tom Dunkley Jones: University of Birmingham
Gareth S. Collins: Imperial College London
James Frankel: bp
Veronica Bray: Tucson
Sean P. S. Gulick: University of Texas at Austin
Ronnie Parr: North Sea Transition Authority

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract An impact origin for Silverpit Crater, on the UK continental shelf, has been contested over the last two decades, with a lack of definitive evidence – traditionally petrographic evidence of shock metamorphism – to resolve the debate. Here we present 3D seismic, petrographic and biostratigraphic data, and numerical impact simulations to test the impact hypothesis. The seismic data provide exceptional imaging of the entire structure, confirming the presence of a central uplift, annular moat, damage zone and numerous secondary craters on the contemporaneous seabed. The distribution of normal and reverse faults in the brim, and curved radial faults around the central uplift suggest a low-angle impact from the west. The pitted, flat-topped central uplift at the top chalk horizon may indicate significant devolatilization of chalk immediately following impact. Biostratigraphic data confirm that this event occurred during the middle Eocene, between 43-46 million years ago. Petrographic analysis from the reworked ejecta sequence in the nearby 43/25-1 well reveals two grains with shock lamellae, indicating shock pressures of ~10-13 GPa, consistent with results from our numerical models. This combination of data and modelling provide compelling evidence that Silverpit Crater is an exceptionally preserved hypervelocity impact structure.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63985-z

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